Applicator for a Cosmetic Product and Associated Applicator Assembly

ABSTRACT

An applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, having a core that extends in a main longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the extension axis (X), and a plurality of protuberances projecting and extending radially from the core. The protuberances are moulded with the core. The protuberances are of at least two different types, a first type of protuberances being in the form of plates and a second type of protuberances being in the form of teeth. The first and second types of protuberances are arranged in succession along the extension axis (X).

The invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product and to an associated applicator assembly.

Applicator assemblies are known for cosmetic products, in particular for a cosmetic product intended to be applied to the eyelashes, such as mascara, comprising a receptacle containing the cosmetic product and an applicator that is designed to be removably fixed on the receptacle.

The receptacle generally comprises a body, the body comprising walls delimiting a container which contains the cosmetic product, and a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be removed.

The applicator assembly generally comprises a cap that is designed to be fixed on the neck, a rod extending from the cap, and an applicator fixed to a free end of the rod. The applicator comprises a core and a plurality of protrusions extending from the core in order to load the eyelashes with mascara and to comb them.

When the cap is fixed on the neck, the rod and the applicator extend inside the container. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the container.

In order to use the applicator, the user detaches the cap from the neck and extracts the applicator from the receptacle.

The present invention aims to solve the following problem: to propose an applicator which makes it possible to load the eyelashes in a consistent manner.

Thus, the invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the axis of extension, and a plurality of protrusions projecting radially from the core, said protrusions being moulded in a continuous manner from the material of the core.

According to the invention, the plurality of protrusions forms at least one row of plates aligned around the core in the region of the same cross section of the core, referred to as a radial row of plates, in such a way as to form angular gaps between said plates.

The advantage associated with the applicator according to the invention is in the possibility of loading the user's eyelashes with cosmetic product in a consistent manner, in particular by means of the plates and the particular arrangement thereof around the core. In fact, the succession of plates within the same radial row, around a polygonal core, makes it possible to form retention zones for the cosmetic product in the region of the angular gaps provided between said plates. In other words, the gaps, which have a substantially concave shape which may or may not be rounded, serve as a container for cosmetic product.

Another advantage of the invention is in the production of the plates in a continuous manner from the material of the core, which makes it possible to simplify the manufacture of the applicator and to better control the rigidity of the plates.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

the protrusions each extend along a normal to the axis of extension,

the core has a proximal end and a distal end,

the protrusions are distributed along said core, over a substantial part of its length from the distal end, in particular as far as the proximal end thereof,

the core and the protrusions are moulded from plastic material,

the cross section of the core has the shape of a polygon having n sides, where 3≦n≦10, in particular 4≦n≦6, in particular n=6 sides, in other words a hexagonal shape,

the cross section of the core has a shape and angular orientation which are substantially constant along the axis of extension,

the radial row or rows comprise(s) n plates,

said plates each project from one side of the cross section of the core,

said plates have a base and a free end, said base extending along the entirety of the side of the cross section of the core from which said plate projects,

the plates have a substantially triangular shape, preferably rounded, from their base to their free end,

a plurality of radial rows of plates follow one another along the axis of extension,

the applicator according to the invention comprises protrusions in the form of teeth, said teeth being located between the plates,

said protrusions in the form of teeth are likewise made of the same material as the core,

said teeth are rectilinear,

said teeth each have a semi-circular cross section and a planar surface, and are positioned in such a way that two adjacent teeth of the same radial row are arranged so as to be staggered along a line that is substantially parallel to the axis of extension, the planar surfaces of said two teeth each being oriented in an opposing rotational direction,

a plurality of said teeth forms at least one row of teeth aligned around the core over the same cross section of the core, referred to as a radial row of teeth,

a plurality of radial rows of teeth follow one another along the axis of extension,

x radial rows of plates alternate along the axis of extension, having y radial rows of teeth, x and y complying with the formula 1≦x,y≦3.

two radial rows of plates alternate, systematically and successively along the axis of extension, with two radial rows of teeth,

the dimensions of the cross section of the core are narrowed in the region of the radial rows of plates relative to the dimensions of said cross section in the region of the radial rows of teeth,

the core is solid,

the applicator forms a brush.

The invention advantageously also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle comprising a body that forms a container intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above, designed to be fixed on the receptacle in such a way that the applicator is accommodated inside the container.

The invention will be better understood, and other objectives, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the course of the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an applicator according to the invention, in an isometric and slightly inclined view,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the applicator shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the applicator shown in the two preceding figures.

The invention relates to an applicator 10 for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core 12 which extends in a main longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the axis of extension and referenced X on FIGS. 2 and 3.

The applicator 10 according to the invention also comprises a plurality of protrusions 31, 32 projecting radially from the core 12, said protrusions 31, 32 being moulded in a continuous manner from the material of the core 12. In other words, the protrusions 31, 32 are integral with the core 12. As a reminder, this has the advantage of simplifying the manufacture of the applicator 10 according to the invention. This also has the advantage of better controlling the rigidity given to said protrusions 31, 32.

Thus, the core 12 and the protrusions 31, 32 can be moulded from a material based on LDPE (low density polyethylene). Other materials can also be used, namely the material “EXACT” by ExxonMobil or the material “HYTREL” by DuPont, or a mixture of these materials.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the core 12 has a proximal end 13 and a distal end 16. The proximal end 13 can be fixed to an applicator rod (not shown) by a sleeve 14 which extends said core 12; said sleeve 14 has no protrusions.

It should be noted that the core 12 advantageously has a cross section of polygonal shape. More precisely, the cross section of the core 12 has the shape of a regular polygon having rectilinear sides. Preferably, the type of shape and/or the angular orientation of said cross section of the core 12 is substantially constant, from its proximal end 13 to its distal end 16. This is understood to mean that, even if the cross section of the core 12 could have a surface of variable dimension along the core 12, it retains the same type of contour and/or the same angular orientation.

Said cross section is, for example, hexagonal, and has no angular offset of said distal end 16 from said proximal end 13.

In the following, a radial row of protrusions 31, 32 is understood to be a row of protrusions 31, 32 arranged around the core 12, in the same plane orthogonal to the axis of extension X, said plane intersecting the core 12 in a cross section which in this case is substantially circular.

Some 31 of said protrusions are in the form of plates and in this way define what will be referred to below as at least one radial row of plates R31.

In the embodiment shown here, the core 12 has a hexagonal cross section and therefore has six longitudinal faces. The plates 31 each project from one side of the cross section of the core 12 and, considering that each plate 31 has a base 33 extending along the entirety of the side of the cross section of the core 12 from which said plate 31 projects, there will therefore be six plates 31 per radial row R31 in the particular embodiment shown here. This example is not limiting and, when the core 12 has more or fewer longitudinal faces, namely a number n of longitudinal faces, where 3≦n≦10, then the radial rows R31 of plates 31 each comprise the corresponding number n of plates 31.

Furthermore, the succession of plates 31 within the same radial row R31 leads to the formation of angular gaps 37 therebetween. In fact, said plates 31 have a shape which does not widen from the base 33 to free end 35 thereof (see FIG. 2). In particular, the shape of the plates 31 is triangular. This means that the plates 31 which project from the n faces of the core 12 do not overlap, and in fact diverge angularly from one another. In particular, within the same radial row R31, a plate 31 does not overlap the plates 31 which are directly adjacent to it. This means that spaces 37 are created between the plates 31 of the same radial row R31, said spaces 37 preferably defining therebetween substantially concave zones, which may or may not be rounded. The gaps 37 of a radial row R31 are therefore located, around the radial periphery of the core 12, in the angular spaces which are not occupied by the plates 31 of said radial row R31. In other words, the plates 31 of the same radial row R31 leave zones which are devoid of material, said gaps 37, which serve as containers for cosmetic product and which provide their loading capacity to the radial rows of plates R31. Thus, when an applicator 10 according to the invention is removed from the receptacle (not shown) in which it is held between two uses, a significant quantity of cosmetic product is accommodated between the plates 31 of each radial row R31.

In fact, the wiper (not shown) located at the outlet of the receptacle scrapes off the cosmetic product present on the plates 31. However, by means of the gaps 37 existing between said plates 31, a significant quantity of cosmetic product remains accommodated on said applicator 10, between the plates, a quantity of product which is then ready to be applied to the eyelashes of a user.

Moreover, the applicator 10 according to the invention advantageously comprises a second type of protrusions 32 which are in the form of teeth 32. Said teeth 32 are located between the plates 31, more precisely between the rows of plates R31. In the manner of the radial rows of plates R31, said teeth 32 preferably also form radial rows, referred to as radial rows of teeth 32 and referenced R32 on FIG. 3. Said teeth 32 are for example rectilinear.

The teeth of the same radial row of teeth are positioned here in two sub-rows, the teeth of the same sub-row being located in the same plane orthogonal to the core and the sub-rows being located on either side of the same common plane, orthogonal to the core. The teeth of one of the sub-rows are tangent below said common plane and the teeth of the other sub-row are tangent above said common plane. In other words, the teeth of one of the sub-rows are offset axially with respect to the teeth of the other sub-row. The radial rows of teeth can follow one another, having a common plane between their opposing sub-rows.

These teeth 32 have a semi-circular cross section here and each have a planar surface. They are positioned in such a way that two teeth 32 of the same radial row R32 which are angularly adjacent but belong two separate sub-rows, have planar surfaces facing one another, that is to say they are each oriented in an opposing rotational direction. Said teeth 32 facing one another, referred to as adjacent teeth, are located for example on either side of a longitudinal edge of the core.

Each tooth 32 projects and extends radially in a manner orthogonal to the side of the cross section of the core 12 from which said tooth 32 projects, in such a way as to create a gap between the planar surfaces of two adjacent teeth 32.

In addition to the loading capacity of the radial rows of plates R31 described above, the plates 31 also make it possible to group the eyelashes of a user. However, said plates 31 do not make it possible to separate the eyelashes from one another. The function of separating the eyelashes from one another, or fine combing of the eyelashes, is advantageously ensured by the rows of teeth R32. Thus said teeth 32 give the applicator 10 according to the invention an ability to comb the eyelashes which said applicator would not have if it were formed only by radial rows of plates R31.

This is why, as can be seen in FIG. 3, it has been provided for radial rows of plates R31 and radial rows of teeth R32 to follow one another along the axis of extension X. The associated advantage is in the possibility of loading the user's eyelashes with cosmetic product by means of the plates 31, whilst combing the eyelashes by means of the teeth 32, and doing this all along the applicator 10 according to the invention since the succession of the two types of radial rows R31, R32 is axial.

In particular, x radial rows of plates R31 alternate along the axis of extension X with y radial rows of teeth R32, x and y complying with the formula 1≦x, y≦3. In the embodiment shown here, without this being limiting, at least two radial rows of plates R31 alternate, systematically and successively along the axis of extension X, with at least one, in particular two, radial rows of teeth R32.

Providing radial rows of plates in the form of pairs, that is to say two radial rows of plates without an interposed radial row of teeth, has the advantage of further improving the loading power of the brush. The zone located between each plate of the same pair will in fact be protected by the upper plate, that is to say the plate which is wiped first when the user takes the applicator out of the container, at the moment when said zone passes through the wiper.

This alternation of radial rows of plates R31 and radial rows of teeth R32 makes it possible to define axial zones, referenced Z1 and Z2, respectively, in FIG. 3. These axial zones Z1, Z2 correspond, respectively, to the locations of the core 12 which bear said radial rows R31, R32.

The core 12 of the applicator 10 according to the invention could be thinned in the zones Z1 bearing the radial rows of plates 31, and also in the axial vicinity thereof, in comparison with the dimensions of the core 12 in the zones Z2 bearing the radial rows of teeth R32. The associated advantage consists in giving the plates 31 an increased bending capacity. In fact, as the plates 31 comprise more material than the teeth 32, they are less capable of bending axially than the teeth 32. Decreasing the dimensions of the cross section of the core 12 in the zones Z1 bearing the radial rows of plates R31 makes it possible to substantially increase the radial extension of said plates 31—distance between the base 33 of said plates and their free end 35—and thus to render them more flexible axially. The objective is to prevent the radial rows of plates R31 from having too much resistance when they pass through the wiper. In other words, the objective is to prevent the radial rows of plates R31, when they arrive in the region of the wiper, from locking and leading to a sequenced and difficult withdrawal—or respectively a reinsertion—of the applicator 10 out of—or respectively into—its receptacle.

Furthermore, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the plates 31 and the teeth 32 are distributed here along said core 12 over a substantial part of its length from the distal end 16, and also over all the radial periphery of the core 12.

Alternatively, said plates 31 and said teeth 32 are distributed over only a part of the radial periphery of the core 12 (embodiment not shown) in order to obtain makeup effects which are additional and/or complementary to those which are described here.

Moreover, it should be noted that the plates 31 and the teeth 32 each extend, for example, along a normal to the axis of extension X.

It should also be noted that the plates have in particular a rounded or convex tip 35 at their free end.

It should further be noted that the core is preferably solid.

Furthermore, the plates 31 and the teeth 32 form an envelope E, in particular defined by their periphery (see FIG. 3). Said envelope E has a substantially frustoconical shape, in particular between said proximal 13 and distal 16 ends. The truncated cone formed by said envelope E has, for example, a circular cross section in the vicinity of the proximal end 13 having a diameter between 6.5 mm and 9.5 mm, in particular substantially equal to 8 mm, and a circular cross section in the vicinity of the distal end 16 of which the diameter is between 3.5 mm and 5.5 mm, in particular substantially equal to 4.5 mm. The frustoconical shape of the envelope E then has the advantage of facilitating the passage of the applicator 10 through the wiper when it is reinserted into the receptacle, in particular after use.

It should also be noted that the applicator 10 forms a brush, commonly called a “mascara brush”.

As a reminder, the invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle (not shown) comprising a body that forms a container containing the cosmetic product, and an applicator 10 as previously described, designed to be fixed on the receptacle in such a way that the applicator is accommodated inside the container. Said applicator 10 is fixed, for example, to the end of a rod which is itself fixed to a cap (not shown) that is advantageously screwed to the receptacle. After assembly, the sleeve 14 is located in the rod and the proximal end 13 of the core forms the visible proximal end of the applicator.

It should also be noted that variants are of course possible. In particular, in a supplementary embodiment, the radial rows of protrusion 31, 32 are offset angularly in order to give at least one helical orientation to the envelope E formed by the free ends of said protrusions 31, 32. In other words, it is possible to provide for the successively adjacent radial rows of teeth R32 to be offset angularly relative to one another, whilst the radial rows of plates R31 are fixed angularly along the axis of extension X. It is also possible to envisage this the other way round: radial rows of plates R31 that are successively adjacent along the axis being offset angularly relative to one another, whilst the radial rows of teeth R32 are fixed angularly along the axis of extension X. It is still possible to provide an angular offset to each radial row of plates and/or of teeth, with respect to one another, along the axis. 

1. Applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the axis of extension (X), and a plurality of protrusions projecting radially from the core, said protrusions being moulded in a continuous manner from the material of the core, characterised in that the plurality of protrusions forms at least one row of plates that are aligned around the core in the region of the same cross section of the core, referred to as a radial row of plates (R31), in such a way as to form angular gaps between said plates.
 2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said plates each project from one side of the cross section of the core, and have a base and a free end, said base extending along the entirety of the side the cross section of the core from which said plate projects.
 3. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of the core has the shape of a polygon having n sides, where 3≦n≦10, the radial row or rows (R31) comprising n plates.
 4. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein cross section of the core has a shape and angular orientation which are substantially constant along the axis of extension (X).
 5. Applicator according to claim 2, wherein the plates have a substantially triangular shape from their base to their free end (35).
 6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of radial rows of plates (R31) follow one another along the axis of extension (X).
 7. Applicator according to claim 1, further comprising protrusions in the form of teeth, said teeth being located between the plates.
 8. Applicator according to claim 7, wherein said teeth each have a semi-circular cross section and a planar surface, and are positioned in such a way that two adjacent teeth of the same radial row (R32) are arranged so as to be staggered along a line substantially parallel to the axis of extension (X), the planar surfaces of said two teeth each being oriented in an opposing rotational direction.
 9. Applicator according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of said teeth forms at least one row of teeth aligned around the core over the same cross section of the core, referred to as a radial row of teeth (R32), a plurality of radial rows of teeth (R32) following one another along the axis of extension (X).
 10. Applicator according to claim 9, wherein x radial rows of plates (R31) alternate along the axis of extension (X), with y radial rows of teeth (R32), x and y complying with the formula 1≦x, y≦3.
 11. Applicator according to claim 9, wherein the dimensions of the cross section of the core are narrowed in the region of the radial rows of plates (R31) relative to the dimensions of said cross section in the region of radial rows of teeth (R32).
 12. Applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising: a receptacle comprising a body that forms a container intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator according to claim 1, designed to be fixed on the receptacle in such a way that the applicator is accommodated inside the container. 